Chapter 23.06 — EMPLOYMENT ZONING DISTRICTS

Alhambra Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-06 · Alhambra

§ 23.06.010 PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY.

  • (A) The purposes of the Employment Zoning Districts are to:

  • (1) Designate adequate land for commercial businesses, professional offices, and industrial development, consistent with the General Plan;

  • (2) Maintain and strengthen the city's economic resources;

  • (3) Provide a range of employment opportunities to meet the needs of current and future residents; and

  • (4) Provide areas for a wide range of manufacturing, industrial processing, and service commercial uses, and protect areas where such uses now exist.

  • (B) Additional purposes of each Employment Zoning District.

(1) Professional Office (PO). The PO Zone is intended to provide areas for a range of medical, professional, and administrative offices; research and development activities; multi-unit residential; and other similar and compatible uses. The PO Zone implements the Office Professional and Medical Office General Plan land use designations.

(2) Industrial (I). The I Zone is intended to provide for wide range of professional, service, industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, fitness, and compatible residential and commercial uses to support a thriving employment areas to serve the needs of the community. The I Zone implements the Industrial General Plan land use designation.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24)

§ 23.06.020 LAND USE REGULATIONS.

Table 23.06.020: Land Use Regulations - Employment Zoning Districts, sets the land use regulations for the Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.

he Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.

Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
TABLE 23.06.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - EMPLOYMENT ZONING DISTRICTS
TABLE 23.06.020: LAND USE REGULATIONS - EMPLOYMENT ZONING DISTRICTS
"P" = Permitted Use; "M" = Minor Use Permit required;
"C" = Conditional Use Permit required; "-" = use not allowed
Land Use Classification PO I Additional Regulations
Residential Uses
Residential housing types See subclassifications below
Multi-unit dwelling C(3) C(3) Condominium projects require a
minimum of six units, except if
developed consistent with Cal.
Gov’t Code § 65852.28
Family day care See § 23.22.140
Live-work unit M -
Low barrier navigation centers P P Must be consistent with Cal. Gov’t
Code §§ 65660 et seq
--- --- --- ---
Small residential care facilities Small residential care facilities and transitional and supportive housing constitute
Supportive housing a residential use and are subject only to those restrictions that apply to other
idtil f th t i th ditit
Transitional housing resena uses o e same ype n e same src.
Small housing development Small housing developments of no more than 10 residential units which meet the
requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65852.28 (SB 684) shall be a permitted use at
any site zoned for multifamily residential development.
Affordable housing development of 2 or more
units
Affordable housing developments of 2 or more residential units which meet the
requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65913.4 (SB 35) shall be a permitted use at
any site zoned for residential use or residential mixed-use development.
Affordable housing development in commercial
zones
Affordable housing developments proposed in a commercial zone that meet the
requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65912.111, 65912.112, and 65912.113 shall
be a permitted use.
Affordable housing developments proposed in zones where office, retail, or
parking are principally permitted uses that meet the requirements of Cal. Gov’t
Code § 65852.24 shall be a permitted use.
Mixed income housing development in
commercial corridors
Mixed-income housing developments proposed in a commercial zone that meet
the requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code §§ 65912.121, 65912.122, and 65912.123
shall be a permitted use.
Public/Semi-Public Uses
Colleges and trade schools P C
Community assembly M - See § 23.22.060
Cultural institutions M -
Day care centers P -
Emergency shelter - P(1)
Government offices P P
Hospitals and clinics See subclassifications below
Clinics P P(7)
Hospitals P -
Skilled nursing facility P -
Instructional services P C
Park and recreation facilities M C
Parking lots and structures M C
Public safety facilities C C
Schools C -
Commercial Uses
Adult business - P See § 23.22.050
Animal boarding and veterinary services See subclassifications below
Animal shelter and boarding - M
Pet day care M M
Veterinary services P M
Automobile/vehicle sales and services See subclassifications below See subclassifications below
--- --- --- ---
Automobile/vehicle service and repair, minor - M See § 23.22.070
Automobile/vehicle repair, major - M See § 23.22.070
Service stations - M See § 23.22.070
Banks and financial institutions P -
Business services P P
Commercial cannabis facility See subclassification below
Medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer - C(4) See § 23.22.080, Cannabis
Facilities, Cultivation and
Deliveries
Commercial entertainment and recreation See subclassifications below
Indoor M P
Outdoor entertainment - M
Drive-through facility C C See § 23.22.120
Eating and drinking establishments See subclassifications below
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Employment Zoning Districts. Land uses are defined in Chapter 23.43. In cases where a specific land use or activity is
not defined, the Community Development Director shall assign the land use or activity to a classification that is
substantially similar in character. Land uses not listed in the table and not substantially similar to the uses listed are
prohibited. Section numbers in the right-hand column refer to other sections of this title. Numbers in parentheses refer
to specific limitations listed at the end of the table.
Bars/night clubs/lounges C C See § 23.22.210
Restaurants P M(5) See § 23.22.210
Farmer's markets M - See § 23.22.150
Food preparation P P
Funeral parlors and interment services C -
Hotels and motels C(2) -
Offices P P
Coworking offices P P
Personal services See subclassifications below
General personal services P -
Fortunetelling P - See Chapter 5.14
Repair and maintenance services P P
Retail sales See subclassifications below
Building material stores and retail garden
centers
- P
Firearms sales - C(6) See § 23.22.160
Food and beverage sales P P
General retail P P
Outdoor retail sales and nurseries - P
Industrial Uses
Construction and material yards - P
Custom manufacturing - P
Food and beverage manufacturing See subclassifications below
Small scale - P
Large scale - P
General industrial - M
--- --- --- ---
Light industrial - P
Research and development P P
Salvage and wrecking - C
Storage, warehousing, and wholesaling See subclassifications below
Personal storage - C See § 23.22.240, Personal Storage
Indoor - P
Outdoor - C
Transportation, Communication, and Utility Uses
Communication facilities See subclassifications below
Facilities within buildings - C
Telecommunication See § 23.22.270
Freight/truck facilities - C
Light fleet-based services M P
Public works and utilities - C
Recycling facility See subclassifications below
Reverse vending machine - C See § 23.22.250
Small collection facility - C See § 23.22.250
Large collection facility - C See § 23.22.250
Other Uses
Accessory uses and structures See §§ 23.22.030 and 23.12.020
Cannabis cultivation See § 23.22.080
Collection boxes See § 23.22.090
Home occupations See § 23.22.170
Live entertainment See § 23.22.180
Outdoor dining and seating See § 23.22.220
Outdoor display and sales See § 23.22.230
Nonconforming uses See Chapter 23.19
Temporary uses See § 23.22.280
Notes:
1. Limited to the area bounded by Orange Street to the north, Mission Road to the south, Raymond Avenue to the east, and Palm
Avenue to the west.
2. Limited to the area of the PO zone north of Mission Road.
3. Multi-unit dwellings shall be subject to the following requirements:
a. Those projects that are "by-right" under governing statutes, including but not limited to projects that are 20% affordable on up-zoned
sites, 20% affordable on prior Housing Element Sites Inventory sites, or SB 35 projects, are exempt from the CUP requirement.
b. Projects subject to the Housing Accountability Act or other statutes that limit discretion to objective standards and criteria are
subject only to objective findings in § 23.34.060, and so long as the requirement for a CUP does not otherwise conflict with state law.
4. No CUP may be issued for a medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer located on a parcel that is within 600 feet of any other parcel
containing a school, park, licensed child daycare facility, youth center, a conditionally permitted use that provides services primarily to
minors, or a licensed drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility, or a parcel that is within a residential zoning district. For purposes of this
section, "school" includes a pre-school, transitional kindergarten, K-12 school, whether public or private. No CUP may be issued for a

Notes:

  1. Limited to the area bounded by Orange Street to the north, Mission Road to the south, Raymond Avenue to the east, and Palm Avenue to the west.

  2. Limited to the area of the PO zone north of Mission Road.

  3. Multi-unit dwellings shall be subject to the following requirements:

a. Those projects that are "by-right" under governing statutes, including but not limited to projects that are 20% affordable on up-zoned sites, 20% affordable on prior Housing Element Sites Inventory sites, or SB 35 projects, are exempt from the CUP requirement. b. Projects subject to the Housing Accountability Act or other statutes that limit discretion to objective standards and criteria are subject only to objective findings in § 23.34.060, and so long as the requirement for a CUP does not otherwise conflict with state law. 4. No CUP may be issued for a medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer located on a parcel that is within 600 feet of any other parcel containing a school, park, licensed child daycare facility, youth center, a conditionally permitted use that provides services primarily to minors, or a licensed drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility, or a parcel that is within a residential zoning district. For purposes of this section, "school" includes a pre-school, transitional kindergarten, K-12 school, whether public or private. No CUP may be issued for a

medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer located on a parcel that is within 1,000 feet of any other parcel upon which a medicinal cannabis delivery-only retailer is operating.

  1. A MUP is not required if the use is also a drive-through facility requiring a CUP.

  2. No CUP may be issued for a firearms sales use located on a parcel that is within 600 feet of any other parcel containing a sensitive receptor as defined in § 23.22.160. No CUP may be issued for a firearms sales use located on a parcel that is within 600 feet of any other parcel upon which a firearms sales use is operating.

  3. Only community clinics providing reproductive health services, consistent with the requirements of Cal. Gov’t Code § 65914.900, shall be a permitted use.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24; Ord. O2M24-4826, passed 2-26-24; Ord. O2M24-4831, passed 8-26- 24; Ord. 4844, passed 4-28-25; Ord. 4848, passed 9-8-25)

§ 23.06.030 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.

Table 23.06.030: Development Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.

pment Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.

Table 23.06.030: Development Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for
Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the
table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing
developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.
Table 23.06.030: Development Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for
Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the
table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing
developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.
Table 23.06.030: Development Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for
Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the
table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing
developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.
Table 23.06.030: Development Standards - Employment Zoning Districts, prescribes the development standards for
Employment Zoning Districts. Letters in parentheses refer to additional development standards that directly follow the
table. Section numbers in the Additional Regulations column refer to other sections of this title. Housing
developments are eligible for flexible development standards pursuant to § 23.12.060.
TABLE 23.06.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - EMPLOYMENT ZONING DISTRICTS
Standard PO I Additional Regulations
TABLE 23.06.030: DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS - EMPLOYMENT ZONING DISTRICTS
Standard PO I Additional Regulations
Maximum Residential Density (units/acre) Lots less than 10,000 square
feet: 24
Lots larger than 10,000 square
feet: 43
43 (A)
Maximum floor area ratio (FAR) 1.5 2.0 (B)
Maximum height (feet) 40 within 50 feet of a
Residential Zoning District,
otherwise 75
40 within 50 feet
of a Residential
Zoning District,
otherwise 55
Maximum number of stories 3 within 50 feet of a Residential
Zoning District, otherwise 5
3 within 50 feet of
a Residential
Zoning District,
otherwise 5
Minimum setbacks (ft)
Front 20 10
Street side 10 10
Side 5 0, 10 adjacent to a
Residential
Zoning District
Rear 10 0, 10 adjacent to a
Residential
Zoning District
--- --- --- ---
Minimum distance between buildings (feet
measured from eave to eave)
5 5

(B) Additional development standards.

(1) Minimum residential density, PO and I Districts. Pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 65583.2(h), a minimum

residential density of 20 units per acre shall be required on sites identified for lower income in the housing element sites inventory, if residential uses are proposed for the site.

(2) Mixed-use developments, PO and I Districts. Pursuant to Cal. Gov’t Code § 65583.2(h), within mixed-use developments located on sites identified for lower income in the housing element sites inventory a minimum of 50% of the total floor area of the mixed-use project shall be occupied by residential uses.

(Ord. 4823, passed 1-22-24; Ord. 4831, passed 8-26-24)